TMA makes strides in revenue mobilization

Tema, May 11, GNA - Mr. Robert Kempes Ofosuware, Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), on Tuesday stated that revenue generated by the Metropolitan Assembly has increased from five to 11 percent. Addressing members on the first day of the Assembly's three-day general meeting in Tema, Mr Ofosuware explained that the Assembly had introduced additional new strategies for effective and efficient revenue mobilization, which had resulted in the increase of revenue generated. A Special Development Levy (SDL) of two Ghana Cedis per annum from all rateable adults would be introduced to improve on infrastructural development, he said.

The MCE recommended that Assembly Members should be included in the Revenue Mobilization Task Force, in order to assist staff to collect the fees and rates from their respective electoral areas. Mr. Ofosuware also disclosed that the Route Registration Exercise under the Urban Transport Project would commence in June, in spite of the disagreement of some operators of the project.

He said the exercise would create a database of routes and other corresponding attributes such as operators, vehicles, terminals and drivers. "This will enable the Assembly identify gaps in service provision, as well as revenue generation, in order to put in place the appropriate interventions," he added.

The MCE stated that the Assembly in collaboration with the Department of Urban Roads, through the use of Direct Labour, had carried out the re-surfacing of some roads which were in deplorable conditions, using the Common Fund and part of the Internally Generated Fund (IGF). Mr. Ofosuware regretted that the major challenge facing the Assembly was the encroachment of some lands in some unplanned areas within the Tema Development Corporation (TDC) acquisition ar eas, which, he said, had led to the springing up of slums in those areas. He further stated that another challenge facing the Assembly was loss of some major revenue sources due to operational difficulties facing some companies within the Metropolis.

Mr. Emmanuel Adzei Anang, Member of the Council of State, advised the Assembly Members not to depend on the media for publicity, but rather be disciplined in discharging their duties. He was disappointed by the encroachment on the green belt by some car dealers and unauthorized developers, which he said, had led to the destruction of the green belt. 12 May 10